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Observational studies have demonstrated that the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular events. This may be mediated through IgM antibodies to OxLDL, which have previously been associated with cardioprotective effects. The Australian Study for the Prevention through Immunisation of Cardiovascular Events (AUSPICE) is a double-blind, randomised controlled trial (RCT) of PPV in preventing ischaemic events. Participants received PPV or placebo once at baseline and are being followed-up for incident fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction or stroke over 6 years.A subgroup of participants at one centre (Canberra; n = 1,001) were evaluated at 1 month and 2 years post immunisation for changes in surrogate markers of atherosclerosis, as pre-specified secondary outcomes: high-sensitive C-reactive protein (CRP), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). In addition, 100 participants were randomly selected in each of the intervention and control groups for measurement of anti-pneumococcal antibodies (IgG, IgG2, IgM) as well as anti-OxLDL antibodies (IgG and IgM to CuOxLDL, MDA-LDL, and PC-KLH).Concentrations of anti-pneumococcal IgG and IgG2 increased and remained high at 2 years in the PPV group compared to the placebo group, while IgM increased and then declined, but remained detectable, at 2 years. There were statistically significant increases in all anti-OxLDL IgM antibodies at 1 month, which were no longer detectable at 2 years; there was no increase in anti-OxLDL IgG antibodies. There were no significant changes in CRP, PWV or CIMT between the treatment groups at the 2-year follow-up.PPV engenders a long-lasting increase in anti-pneumococcal IgG, and to a lesser extent, IgM titres, as well as a transient increase in anti-OxLDL IgM antibodies. However, there were no detectable changes in surrogate markers of atherosclerosis at the 2-year follow-up. Long-term, prospective follow-up of clinical outcomes is continuing to assess if PPV reduces CVD events.

There has been no evidence about the prognostic significance of Dkk-1 (dickkopf-1) for ischemic cardiovascular and bleeding events in patients with myocardial infarction (MI). We aim to evaluate the prognostic effect of Dkk-1 at admission on 12-month risk of cardiovascular and bleeding outcomes in MI. Here we measured plasma Dkk-1 level centrally in 1364 MI patients from BIPass (BIomarker-based Prognostic Assessment for patients with Stable angina and acute coronary Syndromes) study. Dkk-1 was significantly associated with the increased risk of the composite of cardiac death, MI, and ischemic stroke (HR 1.37, 95% CI: 1.13 -1.66, p = 0.001), and major bleeding (HR 1.81, 95% CI:1.13 - 2.90, p = 0.013) after adjusting for clinical risk factors and prognostic biomarkers (hs-cTnT, NT-proBNP, and cystatin C). We first report that Dkk-1 at admission could predict cardiovascular events and major bleeding during 12-month follow-up after MI.Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT04044066.

Complex surgical site infections (SSIs) and revisions for these infectious complications following total knee and hip arthroplasties are associated with significant economic costs.To evaluate the cost of one-stage and two-stage revisions; debridement, antibiotic, and implant retention (DAIR) and DAIR with liner exchange for complex hip or knee SSIs in Alberta, Canada.We used the Alberta Health Services Infection Prevention and Control database to identify individuals18 years old from the two major urban centers in Alberta, Calgary, and Edmonton zone, with complex hip or knee SSIs who underwent surgical intervention between April 1, 2012, and March 31, 2019. Micro-costing and gross-costing methods were used to estimate 12 and 24-month costs following the initial hospital admission for arthroplasty. Subgroup, inverse gaussian and gamma regression analysis were used to evaluate the associations of the revision procedure, age, sex, and comorbidities on cost.A total of 382 patients with complex SSIs were identified with a mean age of 66.1 years. DAIR and DAIR with liner exchange resulted in the lowest 12- and 24-month costs at $53,197 (95% CI, $38,006 - $68,388) and $57,340 (95% CI, $48,576 - $66,105), respectively; two-stage revision was the costliest procedure. Most of the incurred costs (98%) were accrued within the first 12 months following the initial procedure.Medical costs are highest 12 months following initial arthroplasty and for two-stage revisions in hip and knee complex SSI.

To better guide decisions regarding antithrombotic treatment in individual patients surviving 6 months following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) by balancing between subsequent recurrent ischaemic and bleeding risk.Patients surviving 6 months following an ACS were followed in an Australian registry. Ischaemic (composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction or stroke) and bleeding (≥BARC 2) events were collected. A dual binary outcome modelling strategy was used arriving at a common set of variables from which bleeding and ischaemic risk could be independently determined in individual patients. Patients in whom bleeding rates exceeded composite ischaemic event rates during the follow-up period were identified.The cohort comprised 5,905 patients in whom 215 experienced an ischaemic event and 49 a bleeding event. The single set of variables included in both ischaemic and bleeding models (C-statistics 0.71 and 0.72 respectively) included modified TIGRISThe risk of recurrent ischaemic events exceeds bleeding in most patients followed 6 to 24 months following an ACS. Post CABG patients with comorbidities have a higher risk of bleeding over this period during which time attention should be directed towards modifiable bleeding risk factors including requirement for dual antiplatelet therapy.

Objective: The National Heart Foundation’s Warning Signs Campaign (2009–2013) aimed to raise awareness amongst the public of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), encouraging people to recognise suggestive symptoms and seek immediate medical attention. This study explores the impact of the campaign on the characteristics of patients presenting to hospitals around Australia with ACS. Design: Retrospective cohort analysis Setting: 10 Australian Hospitals recruiting for the CONCORDANCE registry continuously throughout the campaign period. Participants: Patients presenting with ACS to hospitals before, during and after the campaign ran in their jurisdiction. Main Outcome Measures: Whether an ambulance was called, time between onset of symptoms to first medical contact, as well as time between onset of symptoms to primary percutaneous intervention or lysis. Results: Time to first medical contact did not improve during or post-campaign for NSTEACS medical hours (IQI) 1.6 (0.5–4.8) pre, 2.2 (0.7–7.6) during, 2 (0.7–6.9) post (p < 0.001) or STEMI, 1.1 (0.4–3.5) pre, 1.6 (0.6–5.1) during, 1.4 (0.5–4.3) post (p = 0.0113). In STEMI, time from symptom onset to pPCI (p = 0.256) and time to lysis (p = 0.387) were also unchanged. The proportion of ambulance arrivals remained stable (pre 55% vs. during 58%, p = 0.493). Patients presenting during the campaign were more likely to be born in Australia 56% pre, 69% during, 68% post (p < 0.001), to report English as a first language 67% pre, 84% during, 79% post (p < 0.001), and had lower likelihood of prior MI or revascularization but greater likelihood of cardiovascular risk factors compared to those presenting prior. Conclusion: Among patients with ACS, we detected no increase in proportion of ambulance presentations nor earlier presentations among NSTEACS or STEMI during the campaign. There was an increase in the proportion of patients for whom English was the first language and those without a prior cardiac history but with cardiovascular risk factors, suggesting that the campaign impacted preferentially on certain strata in the community.

Approximately 50% of patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have multivessel coronary disease (MVD). Evidence on the best PCI approach for these patients is conflicting. The aim of this study is to examine Australian data from the CONCORDANCE registry to describe the practice and outcomes of patients receiving multivessel vs culprit-only PCI.Two cohorts were constructed from MVD-STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI at 41 hospitals between 2009 and 2015: culprit-only PCI (n = 587; 87%) and multivessel PCI (n = 82; 12%). Clinical characteristics were described, and the outcomes were all-cause mortality, heart failure, and myocardial reinfarction, in-hospital and at 6-month follow-up. The relative prevalence of each procedure over time was also described.The patient cohorts were comparable in age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors. Patients with higher Killip scores were more likely to receive multivessel PCI (P=.02). The multivessel group was significantly more likely to have in-hospital cardiogenic shock (P.01), myocardial reinfarction (P=.02), cardiac arrest (P=.02), and stroke (P=.01). There was no difference in the incidence of ischemic events at 6 months, but the multivessel group had a lower rate of planned repeat revascularizations (12% vs 2%; P=.03). There was no difference in the relative frequency of multivessel vs culprit-only PCI during the observation period.The relative frequency of multivessel vs culprit-only PCI has not changed from 2009-2015. Index complete revascularization for STEMI-MVD patients is more likely to be performed in those with worse presentations and is associated with worse in-hospital complications.

Background: Despite the known benefits of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) and widespread endorsement of its use, CR is vastly underutilised, with less than 30% of eligible patients participating in a CR program after a cardiac event. The current study assessed the factors independently associated with referral to CR following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods: The CR referral rate and factors associated with referral were assessed among all consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography for AMI and surviving to hospital discharge, attending South Australian public hospitals from January 2012 [[Unable to Display Character: –]] December 2013. Data was maintained by the Coronary Angiogram Database of South Australia (CADOSA), a comprehensive registry compatible with the NCDR ® CathPCI ® Registry. Results: Among 3,212 patients undergoing angiography for AMI, CR referral occurred in 1,530 patients (48%). Compared to patients without CR referral, these patients were younger (62±13 vs. 64±14, p0.5), hypertension (61% vs. 64%, p>0.5), and dyslipidaemia (59% vs. 60%, p>0.5), but CR referral patients were more likely to be active smokers (40% vs. 33%, p Conclusion: This study highlights a significant disparity in cardiovascular care with approximately half of AMI patients not referred to CR, despite it being a key performance measure. STEMI presentation, younger age and undergoing PCI are associated with increased referral. Alarmingly, AMI patients not referred to CR are also less likely to receive other guideline-based therapies. Increased physician awareness about the benefits of CR is required and initiatives to overcome barriers to referral may improve the delivery of evidence-based care.

Background: Individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are reported to have a higher risk for atherosclerotic disease due to both the individual and combined effects of their HIV and their antiretroviral therapy (ART). The objective of this study was to determine differences in risk

Introduction: It is well recognised that Aboriginal Australians have poorer cardiovascular outcomes compared to non-Aboriginal Australians. Evaluation of contemporary management practices may provide insights into potential service improvements that could promote better outcomes. Objectives: To compare the clinical features and hospital management of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australian patients undergoing coronary angiography in public hospitals in South Australia (SA) following acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: The Coronary Angiogram Database of South Australia (CADOSA) is a comprehensive registry of all public cardiac catheterization procedures performed in SA. Data for procedures undertaken in 2012 following an ACS, were used to detail the management of these patients. Comparisons between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients with non-Aboriginal patients were age adjusted where appropriate. Results: In 2012, 3,014 coronary angiogram procedures were undertaken for ACS presentation and of these, 144 (5%) were undertaken on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Compared to non-Aboriginal ACS patients, these patients were significantly younger (50±11 vs 64±13 years, p Conclusion: Aboriginal ACS patients undergoing angiography are younger, more often female and more often present with AMI compared to non-Aboriginal ACS patients. Discharge medications are similar, however significantly less PCI procedures were undertaken in Aboriginal patients. Further investigation is required to evaluate the cause of this important disparity.

To audit all patients admitted to a New Zealand (NZ) Hospital with a suspected or definite acute coronary syndrome (ACS) over a 14-day period, to assess their presentation type and management in hospital and at discharge, with emphasis on time delays for invasive management and revascularisation treatments.We updated the established NZ ACS Audit group of 39 hospitals admitting ACS patients across NZ, and enrolled NZ patients in conjunction with the bi-National Australia and NZ ACS 'SNAPSHOT' audit. Comprehensive data was recorded on all patients admitted between 00.00 hours on 14 May 2012 to 24.00 hours on 27 May 2012. Patient management at intervention centres (7 public, 3 private) was compared with non-intervention centres (29 public).There were 1007 patient admissions: STEMI (10%), NSTEMI (26%), UAP (17%), other diagnoses including secondary myonecrosis (18%), chest pain thought unlikely to be ischaemic (29%). Cardiac investigations were used in a minority of patients: chest X-ray (91%), echocardiogram (29%), exercise test (23%), computed tomographic (CT) angiogram (4%) and conventional coronary angiogram (33%). Patients admitted to a non-intervention centre (n=439) were less likely to receive an echocardiogram (25 vs 31%, p0.05). Non-intervention centre patients with NSTEMI/UAP waiting longer for angiography (3.8 vs 2.1 days p0.0001), and had a longer length of hospital stay (4.0 vs 3.1 days, p=0.043). For patients with a final diagnosis of a definite ACS (n=531), non-intervention centre patients were significantly less likely to be revascularised with PCI (25% vs 37%, p=0.0019) although CABG surgery numbers were not statistically different (4.1% vs 7.3%, p=0.13).A collaborative group of clinicians and nurses has performed a third nationwide audit of suspected and definite ACS patients, and shown some gaps in the current service, including limited access to echocardiography and cardiac angiography. In particular we noted significant delays for non-intervention centre patients accessing planned invasive assessment. This study reveals areas of clinical need and emphasises the benefit of ongoing clinical audit, with subsequent feedback and a focus on integrated clinical service delivery, which can improve the care of ACS patients in New Zealand.

BACKGROUND: Thrombin potently activates platelets through the protease-activated receptor PAR-1. Vorapaxar is a novel antiplatelet agent that selectively inhibits the cellular actions of thrombin through antagonism of PAR-1. METHODS: We randomly assigned 26,449 patients who had a history of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, or peripheral arterial disease to receive vorapaxar (2.5 mg daily) or matching placebo and followed them for a median of 30 months. The primary efficacy end point was the composite of death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, or stroke. After 2 years, the data and safety monitoring board recommended discontinuation of the study treatment in patients with a history of stroke owing to the risk of intracranial hemorrhage. RESULTS:At 3 years, the primary end point had occurred in 1028 patients (9.3%) in the vorapaxar group and in 1176 patients (10.5%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio for the vorapaxar group, 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 0.94; P

This study sought to determine if the efficacy of bivalirudin alone versus heparin plus a glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitor is dependent upon the duration of clopidogrel pre-treatment in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the ACUITY (Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage strategY) trial.The administration of a clopidogrel loading dose several hours before PCI reduces the risk of periprocedural thrombotic events.Patients with an acute coronary syndrome were randomized to heparin plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor (control), bivalirudin plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor, or bivalirudin alone. Dose and timing of clopidogrel were left to the investigator's discretion.Of 13,819 patients randomized, 7,789 underwent PCI. When clopidogrel was initiated at any time before angiography or within 30 min after PCI, randomization to bivalirudin alone (n = 2,284) or control (n = 2,189) was associated with similar ischemic outcomes (8.2% vs. 8.3%, risk ratio: 0.98, 95% confidence interval: 0.81 to 1.20). Those patients who received clopidogrel30 min after PCI or not at all experienced an increase in ischemic events when randomized to bivalirudin alone (n = 290) versus control (n = 317) (14.1% vs. 8.5%, risk ratio: 1.66, 95% confidence interval: 1.05 to 2.63). Major bleeding was significantly less frequent in patients treated with bivalirudin alone.This post-hoc analysis suggests that in acute coronary syndrome patients, as long as clopidogrel is administered before or within 30 min of PCI treatment with bivalirudin alone is similarly effective to heparin plus a GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor in suppressing 30-day ischemic events with significantly less bleeding. If it is anticipated that clopidogrel will be given late or not at all after PCI, bivalirudin alone may be associated with worse ischemic outcomes. (Comparison of Angiomax Versus Heparin in Acute Coronary Syndromes; NCT00093158).

(HR) or mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) but a significant decrease in mean systemic artery pressure (mSAP) (100± 13 to 82± 9.6mmHg, p= 0.02). Papaverine boluses to 24mg produced a trend in increasing vdopp and HR, with no significant effect on mPAP and mSAP. Local acetylcholine concentrations up to 10−6 M did not change vdopp, HR, mPAP or mSAP versus baseline (p= 0.6, 0.4, 0.4 and 0.3 respectively). Adenosineand papaverine-derived PFR values were 1.5–2. Conclusions: Adenosine and papaverine can be used in conjunction with a Doppler sensor guidewire to safely derive PFR in high order primates. Normal vdopp derived PFR in healthy primates is between 1.5 and 2. doi:10.1016/j.hlc.2007.06.171